The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

Hello, hello & regards. Longtime mystery fan here. Yes, I’ve read both Patricia Highsmith biographies. James M. Cain really got me going in the whole genre 30 years ago. I like George Pelecanos and even knew of Dennis Lehane before “Mystic River” was a twinkle in Clint Eastwood’s eye. I also think Nevada Barr is very under-rated as a stylist and plotter and think I could hang out with Anna Pigeon just fine, although she does tend to find trouble wherever she goes.

I just finished a Hakan Nesser (“Woman With Birthmark”) and I’m now on my first Colin Cotterill (“The Merry Misogynist.”)
I had my first mystery published a few years ago and it even hit The Denver Post best-seller list twice—once when it first came out and again two years later. The first book was called “Antler Dust.” The sequel is due next summer and it’s called “Buried by the Roan.” I’m busy writing the third.

I am the son of two librarians (a fact few can claim) and I am very proud of that. Not that I had much to do with it, but still, I’m just saying. I grew up in a world of books and my mother loved the classics.

I’m active in Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and the terrific writing community in Colorado.

I also keep a blog (all reviews and book commentary) at http://markhstevens.wordpress.com/

Hi Mark. Welcome to the group. Good luck with your books and your blog. Make sure you let us know what's happening with them. You can open a thread in Author's Corner if you want.

And I can think of few things more wonderful than being the son of two librarians. Most of my happy childhood memories revolve around time spend at the library. *sigh*

Thanks, Hayes. Yep, I'm a lucky guy for my upbringing and learning to love a good story.

Welcome Mark. Looks like the Nov/Dec group read will be right up your alley.

Mark wrote: "Hello, hello & regards. Longtime mystery fan here. Yes, I’ve read both Patricia Highsmith biographies. James M. Cain really got me going in the whole genre 30 years ago. I like George Pelecanos ..."

It is not often that I find a Colin Cotterill fan. His first book in the Dr. Siri series is The Coroner's Lunch. It has a delightful cast of characters.